Barbara was born at home and was the daughter of John and Bernice Kroetsch of Snover, Michigan. She grew up on a farm in the depression era and attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and spent summers picking apples, wild berries, and helping her family on the farm. Barbara worked as a beautician as a young woman and then became a devoted homemaker and loving mother raising her children. After all but her youngest child had left home, she worked in the home health field.
Barbara loved her family, enjoyed baking and making delicious meals for her family, and belonged to a euchre club with her husband where they often played to the early hours of the morning. She loved to dance polkas and take the family to Frankenmuth, a German town in Michigan, for dinners. Barbara loved to garden and had beautiful flowers in the back yard. Along with her husband, Barbara was able to take several trips to different countries including visiting her ancestral home in Germany.
Barbara was a devoted Catholic and a member of Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina and had a deep faith in Jesus Christ, her savior. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother and she loved her family dearly. Her strength and courage were an inspiration to all who knew her.
Barbara is survived by her 4 children, Kathy Berden (Dean), Jim Offner (Pat), Lori Elsner (Bob),
and Ralph Elenbaum (Karen), 2 step children, Gale Elenbaum (Ilene) and Rev. Dr. Larry Elenbaum (Betsy), 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Preceded by death are 1 step son, Harold Elenbaum, and 1 grandson, Johnny Berden.
Funeral was held at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery joining her husband, Ralph.
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